Airbus identifies production issue affecting dozens of A320 fuselage panels

Airbus has identified a quality issue with fuselage panels affecting several dozen A320 family aircraft, according to Reuters.

The production defect is causing delays in some aircraft deliveries, but there is no evidence at this stage that in-service aircraft are impacted. The issue emerges as Airbus works to meet its challenging annual delivery targets.

Unofficial data indicates that Airbus delivered 72 aircraft in November, 10 more than in the same month of 2024. If confirmed, this would raise the year’s accumulated deliveries to 657 units.

The aircraft manufacturer has set a guidance of 820 deliveries for the year, which requires more than 160 aircraft to be delivered in December, a level that is practically unfeasible.

The previous record for December deliveries was 138 aircraft, achieved in 2019. Achieving the current target would demand an unprecedented monthly output for the manufacturer.

The current delivery push occurs amid ongoing supply chain pressures in the global aerospace sector. Production interruptions can have downstream impacts for airlines and lessors awaiting new aircraft.

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Ricardo Meier

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